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Los Angeles Lakers logo

Los Angeles Lakers
Seasons 1947-2021 (75 seasons)

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Teams Los Angeles Lakers History Seasons

Recap

The franchise began with the 1947 purchase of a disbanded team, the Detroit Gems of the National Basketball League (NBL). The new team began playing in Minneapolis, Minnesota, calling themselves the Minneapolis Lakers. Initially a member of the NBL, the Lakers won the 1948 NBL championship before joining the rival Basketball Association of America, where they would win five of the next six championships, led by star George Mikan. After struggling financially in the late 1950s following Mikan's retirement, they relocated to Los Angeles before the 1960–61 season.

Led by Hall of Famers Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, Los Angeles made the NBA Finals six times in the 1960s, but lost every series to the Celtics, beginning their long and storied rivalry. In 1968, the Lakers acquired four-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Wilt Chamberlain, and won their sixth NBA title—and first in Los Angeles—in 1972, led by new head coach Bill Sharman. After the retirement of West and Chamberlain, the team traded for superstar Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who won multiple MVP awards with the Lakers. While the team was unable to advance to the Finals in the late 1970s, two momentous changes came in 1979 that would inaugurate a new golden era for the franchise. First, Jerry Buss purchased the Lakers, and as the team's owner, pioneered a vision of basketball games as entertainment spectacles as well as sporting events. Second, the Lakers drafted Magic Johnson first overall in the 1979 NBA draft.

The combination of Johnson, a passing prodigy, and Abdul-Jabbar provided the Lakers with two superstars to anchor their roster. The additions of head coach Pat Riley in 1981, and James Worthy through the 1982 NBA draft, established the Lakers as an NBA powerhouse in the 1980s. The team was nicknamed the "Showtime Lakers" due to its fast break, transition offense facilitated by Johnson. The team won five championships in a nine-year span, including several marquee Finals matchups against its archrival, the Celtics.

After Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, and Worthy retired, the team struggled in the 1990s until it drafted Kobe Bryant and signed Shaquille O'Neal in 1996. The superstar duo, along with Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson, led the Lakers to three consecutive championships between 2000 to 2002, securing the franchise's second "three-peat." After the team lost in the 2004 NBA Finals, the "Shaq-and-Kobe" era ended when the Lakers traded away O'Neal. It was not until the Lakers traded for Pau Gasol that Bryant and Jackson returned to the NBA Finals, winning two more titles in 2009 and 2010. The team failed to regain its former glory during the rest of the decade, and Bryant retired in 2016. In 2020, the Lakers—led by LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and coach Frank Vogel—secured their 17th championship, tying the Celtics for the most titles in NBA history.

The Lakers hold the record for NBA's longest winning streak, 33 straight games, set during the 1971–72 season. Twenty-six Hall of Famers have played for Los Angeles, while four have coached the team. Four Lakers—Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson, O'Neal, and Bryant—have won the NBA MVP Award for a total of eight awards.

Close
Season Overviews Seasons List
2020-21 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2020-21 Los Angeles Lakers
42-30 (.583)
Lost First Round
2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2019-20 Los Angeles Lakers
52-19 (.732)
Won NBA Finals
2018-19 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2018-19 Los Angeles Lakers
37-45 (.451)
Missed Playoffs
2017-18 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2017-18 Los Angeles Lakers
35-47 (.427)
Missed Playoffs
2016-17 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2016-17 Los Angeles Lakers
26-56 (.317)
Missed Playoffs
2015-16 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2015-16 Los Angeles Lakers
17-65 (.207)
Missed Playoffs
2014-15 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2014-15 Los Angeles Lakers
21-61 (.256)
Missed Playoffs
2013-14 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2013-14 Los Angeles Lakers
27-55 (.329)
Missed Playoffs
2012-13 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2012-13 Los Angeles Lakers
45-37 (.549)
Lost First Round
2011-12 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2011-12 Los Angeles Lakers
41-25 (.621)
Lost Conference Semifinals
2010-11 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2010-11 Los Angeles Lakers
57-25 (.695)
Lost Conference Semifinals
2009-10 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2009-10 Los Angeles Lakers
57-25 (.695)
Won NBA Finals
2008-09 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2008-09 Los Angeles Lakers
65-17 (.793)
Won NBA Finals
2007-08 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2007-08 Los Angeles Lakers
57-25 (.695)
Lost NBA Finals
2006-07 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2006-07 Los Angeles Lakers
42-40 (.512)
Lost First Round
2005-06 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2005-06 Los Angeles Lakers
45-37 (.549)
Lost First Round
2004-05 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2004-05 Los Angeles Lakers
34-48 (.415)
Missed Playoffs
2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers
56-26 (.683)
Lost NBA Finals
2002-03 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2002-03 Los Angeles Lakers
50-32 (.610)
Lost Conference Semifinals
2001-02 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2001-02 Los Angeles Lakers
58-24 (.707)
Won NBA Finals
2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers Season
2000-01 Los Angeles Lakers
56-26 (.683)
Won NBA Finals
1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers
67-15 (.817)
Won NBA Finals
1998-99 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1998-99 Los Angeles Lakers
31-19 (.620)
Lost Conference Semifinals
1997-98 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1997-98 Los Angeles Lakers
61-21 (.744)
Lost Conference Finals
1996-97 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1996-97 Los Angeles Lakers
56-26 (.683)
Lost Conference Semifinals
1995-96 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1995-96 Los Angeles Lakers
53-29 (.646)
Lost First Round
1994-95 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1994-95 Los Angeles Lakers
48-34 (.585)
Lost Conference Semifinals
1993-94 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1993-94 Los Angeles Lakers
33-49 (.402)
Missed Playoffs
1992-93 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1992-93 Los Angeles Lakers
39-43 (.476)
Lost First Round
1991-92 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1991-92 Los Angeles Lakers
43-39 (.524)
Lost First Round
1990-91 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1990-91 Los Angeles Lakers
58-24 (.707)
Lost NBA Finals
1989-90 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1989-90 Los Angeles Lakers
63-19 (.768)
Lost Conference Semifinals
1988-89 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1988-89 Los Angeles Lakers
57-25 (.695)
Lost NBA Finals
1987-88 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1987-88 Los Angeles Lakers
62-20 (.756)
Won NBA Finals
1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers
65-17 (.793)
Won NBA Finals
1985-86 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1985-86 Los Angeles Lakers
62-20 (.756)
Lost Conference Finals
1984-85 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1984-85 Los Angeles Lakers
62-20 (.756)
Won NBA Finals
1983-84 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1983-84 Los Angeles Lakers
54-28 (.659)
Lost NBA Finals
1982-83 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1982-83 Los Angeles Lakers
58-24 (.707)
Lost NBA Finals
1981-82 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1981-82 Los Angeles Lakers
57-25 (.695)
Won NBA Finals
1980-81 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1980-81 Los Angeles Lakers
54-28 (.659)
Lost First Round
1979-80 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1979-80 Los Angeles Lakers
60-22 (.732)
Won NBA Finals
1978-79 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1978-79 Los Angeles Lakers
47-35 (.573)
Lost Conference Semifinals
1977-78 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1977-78 Los Angeles Lakers
45-37 (.549)
Lost First Round
1976-77 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1976-77 Los Angeles Lakers
53-29 (.646)
Lost Conference Finals
1975-76 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1975-76 Los Angeles Lakers
40-42 (.488)
Missed Playoffs
1974-75 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1974-75 Los Angeles Lakers
30-52 (.366)
Missed Playoffs
1973-74 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1973-74 Los Angeles Lakers
47-35 (.573)
Lost Conference Semifinals
1972-73 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1972-73 Los Angeles Lakers
60-22 (.732)
Lost NBA Finals
1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers
69-13 (.841)
Won NBA Finals
1970-71 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1970-71 Los Angeles Lakers
48-34 (.585)
Lost Conference Finals
1969-70 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1969-70 Los Angeles Lakers
46-36 (.561)
Lost NBA Finals
1968-69 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1968-69 Los Angeles Lakers
55-27 (.671)
Lost NBA Finals
1967-68 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1967-68 Los Angeles Lakers
52-30 (.634)
Lost NBA Finals
1966-67 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1966-67 Los Angeles Lakers
36-45 (.444)
Lost Division Semifinals
1965-66 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1965-66 Los Angeles Lakers
45-35 (.563)
Lost NBA Finals
1964-65 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1964-65 Los Angeles Lakers
49-31 (.613)
Lost NBA Finals
1963-64 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1963-64 Los Angeles Lakers
42-38 (.525)
Lost Division Semifinals
1962-63 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1962-63 Los Angeles Lakers
53-27 (.663)
Lost NBA Finals
1961-62 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1961-62 Los Angeles Lakers
54-26 (.675)
Lost NBA Finals
1960-61 Los Angeles Lakers Season
1960-61 Los Angeles Lakers
36-43 (.456)
Lost Division Finals
1959-60 Minneapolis Lakers Season
1959-60 Minneapolis Lakers
25-50 (.333)
Lost Division Finals
1958-59 Minneapolis Lakers Season
1958-59 Minneapolis Lakers
33-39 (.458)
Lost NBA Finals
1957-58 Minneapolis Lakers Season
1957-58 Minneapolis Lakers
19-53 (.264)
Missed Playoffs
1956-57 Minneapolis Lakers Season
1956-57 Minneapolis Lakers
34-38 (.472)
Lost Division Finals
1955-56 Minneapolis Lakers Season
1955-56 Minneapolis Lakers
33-39 (.458)
Lost Division Semifinals
1954-55 Minneapolis Lakers Season
1954-55 Minneapolis Lakers
40-32 (.556)
Lost Division Finals
1953-54 Minneapolis Lakers Season
1953-54 Minneapolis Lakers
46-26 (.639)
Won NBA Finals
1952-53 Minneapolis Lakers Season
1952-53 Minneapolis Lakers
48-22 (.686)
Won NBA Finals
1951-52 Minneapolis Lakers Season
1951-52 Minneapolis Lakers
40-26 (.606)
Won NBA Finals
1950-51 Minneapolis Lakers Season
1950-51 Minneapolis Lakers
44-24 (.647)
Lost Division Finals
1949-50 Minneapolis Lakers Season
1949-50 Minneapolis Lakers
51-17 (.750)
Won NBA Finals
1948-49 Minneapolis Lakers Season
1948-49 Minneapolis Lakers
44-16 (.733)
Won BAA Championship
1947-48 Minneapolis Lakers Season
1947-48 Minneapolis Lakers
43-17 (.717)
Won NBL Championship
Won World Pro Basketball Tournament
1946-47 Detroit Gems Season
1946-47 Detroit Gems
4-40 (.091)
Missed Playoffs

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Kobe Bryant Amazing last 3 minutes in his FINAL GAME vs Jazz video clip
Kobe Bryant Amazing last 3 minutes in his FINAL GAME vs Jazz
7 minutes Apr 13, 2016
LOS ANGELES (AP) Kobe Bryant scored 60 incredible points. He carried a miserable Los Angeles...
Kobe Bryant Amazing last 3 minutes in his FINAL GAME vs Jazz / LOS ANGELES (AP) Kobe Bryant scored 60 incredible points. He carried a miserable Los Angeles Lakers team to an improbable comeback victory. And with sweat and confetti all over his gold uniform for the final time, he expressed humble thanks to his fans and family for their loving support over two decades. "What else can I say?" Bryant asked. "Mamba out." Now that's a Hollywood ending to a remarkable career. Bryant utterly dominated his final game Wednesday night, wrapping up 20 NBA seasons with one last offensive showcase in the Lakers' 101-96 victory over the Utah Jazz. He scored 23 points in the fourth quarter, posting his first 50-point game since February 2009 and rallying the Lakers from a 15-point deficit to win the final game of the worst season in franchise history. It was messy, ridiculous and magical - even to the man who did it so many times over 20 years. "It's hard to believe it happened this way," Bryant said. "I'm still shocked about it." With the entire Staples Center crowd standing, Bryant made a 3-pointer with 59 seconds left. He hit another with 31 seconds to play, putting the Lakers ahead 97-96. He finished with an assist before checking out for good with 4.1 seconds left in just the Lakers' 17th win of the season. "The perfect ending would have been a championship," Bryant said with a smile. "But tonight was (me) trying to go out, play hard and try to put on a show as much as I possibly could. It felt good to be able to do that one last time." Bryant and his teammates conspired for one last omnivorous scoring performance by the third-leading scorer in NBA history. He played 42 minutes and took a career-high 50 shots, his teammates attempting to set him up for points on nearly every possession. Kobe came up with the fifth highest-scoring game of his career. He became the oldest player to score 50 points in an NBA game. The entire night was a tribute to Bryant, who is retiring after 20 seasons, five championship rings and 18 All-Star selections with the Lakers, who honored him before and after the game. Bryant is just the fifth player in NBA history to play 20 seasons, and the first with just one team. "I think the most important part is that we all stayed together throughout," Bryant said to the crowd. "You'll always be in my heart, and I sincerely, sincerely appreciate it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you guys." He also had a few laughs after finishing his 1,346th regular-season game with 33,643 career points. "The thing that had me cracking up all night long is, I go through 20 years of everybody screaming to pass the ball," Bryant said with a grin. "And then the last night, they're like, `Don't pass it!"' It was daylong tribute with thousands of fans thronging the downtown streets around Staples Center and chanting his name from early afternoon. Fans
Los Angeles Lakers Media Guidepublication
Los Angeles Lakers Media Guide
79 issues 1947-2025
This media guide is a comprehensive resource created by the team to provide detailed information about its players, coaches, history,...
/ This media guide is a comprehensive resource created by the team to provide detailed information about its players, coaches, history, and season schedule. Released annually, it serves journalists, broadcasters, and fans by offering accurate profiles, statistics, and historical records. The guide enhances media coverage, fan engagement, and promotional efforts.

Lakers History

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